By Hannah Dadzie
As part of his five-day working visit to Ghana, His Excellency Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, has departed Accra after engaging in a series of high-level discussions and signing significant agreements aimed at deepening bilateral ties.
On Monday, November 25, 2024, Ghana and Seychelles signed two key agreements: a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in STEM, Research, Training, and Skills Development.
The agreements were signed by Mrs. Mabel Sagoe, Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, and Mrs. Mamle D. Andrews, Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, on behalf of Ghana. His Excellency Conrad Mederic, High Commissioner of the Republic of Seychelles to Ethiopia, signed on behalf of Seychelles.
These agreements bring the total MoUs signed during President Ramkalawan’s visit to four, following earlier agreements in the areas of Culture and Tourism Development, signed on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
President Ramkalawan’s visit marked a pivotal moment in the historical relationship between Ghana and Seychelles, which dates back to 1896 when Asante King Nana Agyeman Prempeh I was exiled to Seychelles. During the five-day visit, President Ramkalawan and President Akufo-Addo discussed various areas of cooperation, including trade, culture, and climate change. The two leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and working together to address shared challenges.
Key Agreements to Promote Growth
1. Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA):
This agreement paves the way for direct air connectivity between the two nations, fostering trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections.
2. MoU on STEM and Skills Development:
The education-focused MoU emphasises fostering collaboration between academic institutions, promoting exchange programs, and enhancing capacity-building efforts in STEM fields.
A critical outcome of the visit was Seychelles’ commitment to establishing a visa-free regime for citizens of both countries. This initiative is expected to boost tourism and facilitate business exchanges, creating opportunities for economic growth.
“The future going forward is to look for other links of friendship. With education, we look forward to having students from Seychelles coming here for further studies and training,” President Ramkalawan indicated.
As President Ramkalawan concluded his visit, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration expressed optimism about the future of Ghana-Seychelles relations. The Director of the Africa Bilateral Bureau, Mrs. Barbara Addo, highlighted the importance of these agreements in fostering mutual development and strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
“The Bilateral Air Service Agreement in brief: It will enable the two sides to have people-to-people exchanges. Ghanaians will get to travel to Seychelles, and Seychellois’ will get to Ghana, and so it will foster more cooperation in that area. And indeed there is more for us to engage in, and we have so many agreements in the offing. At the appropriate time we will engage to have them,” Mr Addo noted.
The visit underscores the potential for strategic partnerships in key areas, signalling a promising future for Ghana-Seychelles collaboration on the global stage. By strengthening their partnership, Ghana and Seychelles aim to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, cultural exchange, and mutual prosperity.
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